TRANSPARENCY · AUTHORSHIP · SOURCES
How NOTAS DE HOMEM selects and reviews fragrances
NOTAS DE HOMEM is an independent men’s fragrance journal edited by Luís Valente. This page explains what we check, what we interpret, and what we cannot claim without first-hand testing. Our aim is to make buying decisions more informed, not to replace your experience of a scent.
1. How fragrances are selected
Our selection aims to represent different scent families, concentrations, occasions, price segments and styles, from accessible releases to niche perfumery. A profile is not an endorsement as the best fragrance, a verified Portuguese sales ranking or evidence that we have tested the product. Our catalogue is selective and may be expanded or corrected.
2. What counts as a documented fact
When available, we use brand websites and official product descriptions to check the exact fragrance name, marketed concentration, and disclosed notes or accords. Sources should be linked on the relevant profile or article. When a brand does not publish an official top/heart/base pyramid, we do not invent one: the profile says those stages are not officially specified. Formulas, versions and packaging can change.
3. What is editorial interpretation
Suggestions about occasions, seasons, similar fragrances, approximate scent families and expected scent development are editorial interpretations, not laboratory measurements or universal recommendations. Climate, skin, application amount, surroundings and individual perception affect the experience. A scent description alone cannot reliably predict hours of wear or projection for a particular person.
4. On-skin tests: what has and has not been done
Our currently published documentary profiles are not systematic first-hand wear tests. We do not attach longevity, projection or performance scores as though the editor had measured them. When documented direct tests become available, each profile should identify the exact version and circumstances, observations at different stages (opening, development and dry-down), relevant conditions and limitations. A sample test cannot guarantee the same experience for every wearer.
5. Comparing prices and bottle sizes
Our calculators let you enter the price you actually find and the bottle volume. Price per 100 ml is calculated as (price in euros ÷ volume in ml) × 100. Without a supplied price, we do not invent a current retailer price. A large bottle may be cheaper per millilitre but still be poor value if you rarely wear the fragrance.
6. How recommendations are ranked
Our fragrance finder uses structured editorial data and weights scent family (35%), occasion (35%), aromatic profile (20%) and season (10%). The weights of selected criteria are normalised. The resulting score does not measure quality, popularity, longevity or projection. It is a starting point to confirm through samples and official information for the exact version.
7. Author, commercial relationships and corrections
The editorial lead is Luís Valente, author of NOTAS DE HOMEM. His biography covers brand and communications experience; we do not claim a perfumer or laboratory qualification that has not been documented. Editorial illustrations must not be mistaken for official bottle photographs. Any future sponsorship, gifted sample or affiliate relationship should be disclosed close to the applicable content.
To report a factual error, request a source update or clarify an attribution, use our Contact page. Articles may be revised when new official information or well-substantiated corrections become available.
8. Explore further
- 30 editorial fragrance profiles, with brand sources where cited.
- Buying guides and steps for sampling before you decide.
- Brands A–Z and relevant context.
- Fragrance finder and comparison with explained editorial criteria.
Transparency note: Editorial assessments cannot replace official brand information, your own wear testing, or appropriate professional advice where relevant.
Our fragrance testing protocol
Read how repeated wear sessions, observations, evaluation criteria and editorial disclosures will be recorded. View the testing methodology.